Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-04-15
President Cleveland to the Gloucester Fisher
New York Herald.


Mr.. Claveland's letter to Mr.. $ eele, of
the American Fishery union, which we
print elsewhere, does him honor, and will
be received with approval and delight by
the country. He does not propose TO be
little the issue between ourselves and what
General Grant aptly called the "semi-in-
dependent and irresponsible govern
ment" of Canada. He does not propose
that insults to our flag shall be- used
merely to enable a few fishing vessel Cwn-
ers to make money out of their fellow
citizens, as these Gloucester mon ask
him to do.
An act of congress authorizes the pres
ident at his discretion
To deny vessrls, their masters and crews OF
the British dominiOns of North America any cu-
trace into the waters, ports or places Of or with
in the United States tWIth such exceptions In re-
gard TO vessels In distr ~ stress OF weather or
needing supplies as 10 the president shall seem
proper, whether such vessels shall have come di-
Tectly from said dominions on such destined vuY.
age or by way of some port ,r place IN such des-
tined voyage elsewhere; aud also 10 deny entry
into any port or place OF the United states Of
fresh fish OF SAT- fish or any Cther product Of cid
doulisions, or other goojs coming from said do
mpos. TO the United states
The law gives tke president discretion
TO "a1ply his proclamation to any part
or to all of the foregoing subjects" and
Mr.. Steele, on behalf of the Fishery
Union, while expressing fears of unjust
and unfriendly treatment to our fisher
men by the Canadian authorities, sug-
gests that in case the retaiiatory meas
ures are adopted under the act of con
gress the object of such retaliation would
be fully accomplished by prohibiting
Canadian caught fish from entry into the
ports of the United States"
=, ty.h Il f1..fa
opinion, if Canada wantonly insults the
American flag and injures American prop
erty, we need do nothing more in return
than give the Gloucester fishing vessel
owners a monopoly of the American fish
market. That will be quite enough re-
taliation, Mr.. Steele thinks, for deliberate
insults TO our flag and for conduct toward
our people which the Gloucester men
themselves last year denounced a. no bet
ter than piracy.
Not so, says the president, speaking IS
Andrew Jackson would have spoken be-
fore him, had such case arisen
TIE retaIistion coute1,t lated by The act Of con
Rress l. 10 be enforce1, not 20 protect snieiy any
particular iater.st, hosever msrftarious or vaiu-
able. but to maintain the national hon0r and thus
prot Ct al our p-uple. Ia tni, view the gIoatHn
Of Americ2o fist cry rights, and unjust or IN
friendly sc's towards PORTION OF our cIizens
aciiou. and constitutes rational froHt Witch
gav. birth TO. or may Justify retaliation. This
measure once reeofteD 70, SIS Effectiveness ADD
yalu- may well rep.nd upon the horoUkhnsss
aod exientof its Application and in the perfo m
sBce Of international duties. tbe enforcement OF
ini-t national rights aid the protection OF our
citizens this government and the p-' pie Of the
UDit-d States mpst a upit-ali intent Upon
attaining the best result II reaiiationn upoo the
basis Of a maintenance Of national honor and
duty.
President Cleveland fortunately does
not take so low view of the national
honor as those Gloucester men. He full
ly appreciates the importance of the
trade with Canads in other things besides
fish. If he is forced to measures of re-
taliation he will not forget these large
interests. II shalt deem seyself bound 10
inflict no unnecessary damage or injury
upon any portion of our people"
But he adds:
shall nevertheless, be uDinehiegy guild d hy
q sen~s Of what the seif-re CT and disDtz OF the
aud " the support Of the honor Of ;h- govern
nent bensaih which every ciiizep mas repo-+ IN
SAT- ~ sacrifice Of personal or private interests
SHAH be considered as against Tie g.Ierai vel
fare.
That is right. 1t is American in spirit.
It is the language of president IN whose
hands the honor of the country is safe;
ard calm and statesmanlike as Is the tone
of his letter, it can scarcely fail to make
these Gloucester men blush for shame,
while it gives fair warning to our Can
adian neighbors that retaliation, If they
make it necessary, viii be retaliation
upon the basis of maintenance of ma
tional honor and duty